Michael Hedges - Because It's There

[viasevenvai]

The whole audience is high.

[Raven101able]

They killed him with cancer because he refused to play their evil game

[haproductions01]

wish i could have seen this man play live. it looks like an incredible experience

[superscruf]

I saw him live, twice, at the Palmyra Arts Festival in Pennsylvania. He played at the high school two years running - we figured he made a mistake the first time around, so we were really surprised he came back the following year and wowed us again. Dude was totally about sharing the music, and played every bit as intensely for us as for a crowd of thousands. I guess that tells us why the music was so good - the musician was a rare character indeed :)

[ZacVrono]

I went to sleep listening this, and had a dream that i was god creating the universe out of light, to this song.

[stickfiguregum]

5 texans disliked this video.

[unclemeat1977]

I was lucky enough to get introduced to him (via a Steve Vai interview, believe it or not) when I was 14 (1992) so I had a few years to enjoy him before he died. Do yourself a favor and buy the Taproot album. Astonishing stuff.

[Scorianos]

He died way too soon...

[togue777]

What an incredable journey he takes you on in this song.You can feel the energy of motion throughout the entire piece.

[darkeyeballs]

Is this Andy Mckee inspiration?

[Cavin8r]

@darkeyeballs *facepalm*

[jessechisel126]

"It's called 'Because It's There' " Caught me off guard haha.

[kennethorlando]

I have this on VHS...Shadowfax & Leo Kotke were also on it, but it was called "An Evening with Windham Hill". This is my fav performance on here of this song. Love it!

[NEXutTORUSramenMETAL]

He makes that hair style cool

[rahands]

can i check my email on it?

[ikeman1156]

Why are you playing a harp-guitar? "Because its there" ;)

[1978Fatal]

i saw him in concert when i was like 12. he played 3 guitars at once. had 2 strapped and had a lady from the audience hold the other one.

[Rikk303]

Might have been a dream but I recall either Michael or another finger gymnast playing a guitar with loads more strings and necks on it. Don't worry Chimera (Atari fan?)...you've not missed anything by arriving late, just got it all to look forward to. Yay

[iZenZation]

if uve watched this so many times that u memorised what he says to introduce his song and all, song starts at 2:30 =)

[AnOddMusician]

ohhh shit this is where Andy got the song "the friend i never met" from..

[jthrunz]

@AnOddMusician yeah he said in an interview that freind i never met was a tribute to because its there and michael hedges.

[BigCanOfBeans]

i know this tune!!! I heard in an 80's film once upon a time! Fuck yeah, go michael hedges

[jacquesfresca]

The harp guitar!!

[Dimothian]

Oh yes, this is for me! He got the audience standing. Great man. Awesome performer...

[baah1993]

meeew!! qndo eu vi pensei nossa esse cara deve ser maior metido e pá... olha esse instrumento..?! não eh um violão... mas meew.. o cara toca mtoo! e o violão... pra esse tipo d msk.. eh necessario... cool.! =P ;]

[sexylemonface]

Love this so much! People, check out my video of Dave Alley, reminds me of this guy. Love it all

[strangher11]

Michael was a god people, such a shame he died young...

[imakedookie]

dude the crowd is so gay. laughing at EVERY freakin word he puts out...

[hypekillacsplaya]

ahead of his time

[elsbethstar]

hey michael up in the big sky we love ya,may yir soul fly high and free.love baaza and the zoidxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[guitarsville]

Nonmi Uemura,Michael Hedges...Great giants with smile

[mwjemartin1969]

this is why it's great to be alive!

[cozycanibinoid]

absolutely amazing what a muscician, i would love to hear him jam with andy mkcee

[urmumsbaps]

What an absolute fucking genius.

[davebase3]

My favorite piece by MH!! I saw him perform several times and he amazed me every time. RIP Michael!!

[keauxgeigh]

technically not a harp, right? because strictly speaking a harp's strings are perpendicular to the soundboard. I know, who cares? I'm just sayin'.

[ScabzNScarz]

@keauxgeigh come up with a better name for it then

[JeSuisMonAmiPourTu]

i love to imagine Eminem rapping to this.... the poet and a harp; 

[Th3Whit3Stripes]

wow! nice playing...!

[lookoutitscaleb]

I don't know because I've never used a harp guitar before, but is there a way to change the pitch of the harp strings without changing the tuning?

It just seems really limiting to only have those four base pitches. I know there isn't with an actual harp so if there was it probably wouldn't be called a harpguitar but does anyone know?

[TWinterMusic]

@lookoutitscaleb the harp strings have tuning pegs just like a regular guitar.

you can tune them about half a step up or however low you want. However i believe there are different sets of harp strings you can buy for various tunings.

[xXfuknmetljustinXx]

Is it just me, or does he kinda look like Tim Robbins? Either way, Michael is AMAZING!

[Lipsnx4u]

Great sound and video. Thank you, for sharing.

[edmanr2003]

Not to say this is going to be of any help but the movie was called Lost in the Wilderness released in 1986 I have a feeling it would be on Vinyl if it was floating around anywhere and not in mp3 format if anyone finds it good luck to them.

[rgmcgill]

I played in the Phillips University (Enid OK) Jazz Band in 1973-74 with Michael (I was the lead trombone player). As far as I know, he was born in Enid. His father was a professor there, so if one could find out how long he was on the staff at Phillips, one might be able to confirm Michael's birthplace.

[byange821]

i wonder if i would be able to know how to play that thing...hmpf

[Cavin8r]

Gnarly clothing. I wonder if I should get my hair braided... that'd be pretty cool...

[SpammerOvTheGods]

a master class in string muting techniques.

#@!

[BeauJames59]

his masterpiece, imho. it's just good musically, whatever that means...tasteful, he feels it, it comes across.

[sweetiepie66ify]

RIP Michael .

[scottus1955]

I've been a HUGE fan ever since I first heard him..his music is timeless and touches the soul. saw him open for Leo Kottke in Seattle years ago...you could hear a pin drop..God bless and rip

[zuma7007]

I'm pretty sure this guy is not from this planet. The real ET!!!!  Broke my heart when he passed!!!!

[multiviajes]

i like how the audience laughs at every little thing he says, even when he is not trying to be funny. buncha douchebags. BA HA HA!

[RichGalbraith]

I remember one of the first times I saw Michael play, I was at Waller jr High in Enid Okla and he came over with the High School band to play and I thought wow...... Michael was a few grades ahead of me but later on I took lessons from him . It was always great to see him perform when he would come back to Enid..

[LeMortso]

Thanks once again my friend. Always nice to see you.

[synesthesia67]

gorgeous

[skjoyner]

I saw him live with Leo Kottke in dallas around 25 or 30 years ago. Memory going in my old age...8/

[Wcburg1]

this guy has had every single haircut known to man

[rawrrawrangiee]

omg that was awesomeeeee :D

[LbYs]

I kept hearing all this talk about Michael Hedges... All this praising and worshiping and I always just brushed him to the side, never even veiwed a video of his. God damn was a the intelligent majority right for praising him, this is incredible!

[thecoldnovrain89]

I can't help but notice.... the guitar looks like a PENIS!

[digitalramyun]

Just incredible to watch. Those left-hand ostinato chords would be tough enough to pull off (pun intended) on an electric guitar, but to think that Hedges was doing that on an acoustic, and STILL getting such a rich tone... he must've had a left hand which could crack a walnut!

Such an awful loss to the world...

[CovertJazz]

@digitalramyun I read he was actually left-handed

[356Spunky]

@digitalramyun Michael used medium gauge strings.

[3690313]

Sounds like the intro to law and order

[STICKSnSTRINGS]

Notice at no point in this piece does he play a "conventional" note, i.e. fretting a string with the left hand while plucking the same string down by the soundhole with the right hand.

[Element404]

Amazing tune.

[B0sc0e]

He is the reason why I picked up the guitar again after being convinced I would never play again. He is an inspiration, and was a truly humble, beautiful human being. What a spirit he had. RIP, Michael. Thank you for the music!

[jacecrawford]

ok does anyone know the tuning ??? is the tuning under the video good ???

[Fingerstile]

@jacecrawford Hi Jace, No surprise bumping into you here!

The tuning is for a 5 string harp: G1Bb1C2A1D2 E2A2D3E3A3D4

Do a google search for 'stropes' and the first site that comes up is John Strope's website. John worked directly with Michael and did a transcription of this tune. I have purchased this as well as many other transcriptions from John and they are all top quality and note-for-note accurate.

[richhalf]

He is known as ' the guitarist from another planet'. Seen him live in Portland, Oregon.

Unbelievable....

[james10492]

he likes to talk a lot does'nt he.

[Thecurbstomper]

just discovered him today. Absolutely amazing.

[TheTaoistdragon]

:)))

[userlmao1]

Anyone got sheet music to this?

[misspopmusic]

beautiful..... :) outta this world

[mkudmkud]

...Glory Man...yea

[HEYYYOHHHH]

love it. this was my first time ever hearing him, did not know who he was until 5 mins and 50 secs sgo and was astonished by his play. when I checked the comments below and you said he had passed i was suddenly very upset. I will hear his music !

[tannerfamilyco]

pure joy. He's why I fell in love with music 20 years ago. RIP

[ghadax84]

how come I didn't know him before!!!

[SARBAR440]

I believe that Andy credits Michael as a major influence on his playing. Andy was born in 1979... Michael in 1953, making it kinda hard for Andy to influence Michael, I would think.

[121jigawatts]

Such an incredible gift to music. Only he could make a turkey leg sound that good :D!

[benwastyxx]

you can tell that Andy Mckee is a study of this guy

[bartman138]

i think it might be the other way around possibly. i miss micheal. he was such a great artist. he had such a diverse style.

[benwastyxx]

i kind of worded that weird. I mean Andy Mckee reminds me of michael and that Andy Mckee was influenced my Michael

[Guitarman55555]

jesus i dint know he was dead....i'm shocked....a true genius. qite possibly the best guitarist ever

[1RoaringMonk]

i used to stop there on the way to albion to say thanks to a great artist

[1RoaringMonk]

is there a shrine south of yorkville?

[msmomo2u]

Rest In Peace Michael.

You are missed.

[verbaud]

Jeez, Michael. I miss talking with you. Sail on, baby. Rest in Peace.

[georgepaulsmith]

Just amazing. The power of his musical execution will live far beyond any of our years.

[BobLogan]

this happened 2 months before i was born!

[themagnet201]

BobLogan cool

i just learned about this guy in my guitar class also 1stbrasscaptain

both girls in the class are in love with his braids

[IIIISolidSnakeIIII]

this video is priceless, love the story before the song

[1stbrasscaptain]

His braids are beautiful.

[chimeramusic]

I am ashamed to admit that I had never heard of this guy until now...and it was quite by accident; browsing through someone else's favourites on their channel! I thought "Aerial Boundaries - cool name for a piece of music". And then I had that moment, which doesn't happen very often, when you hear something that just absolutely floors you and you think: "why haven't I heard of this before!?". :)

[msmomo2u]

Better now than never.

[StLandrew1958]

@chimeramusic Know what you mean. I 'discovered' MH when I met my NZ girlfriend in 1990. She liked his music a lot, and I instantly loved it. It was something I had simply never heard before. Which wasn't so strange, as he was the only proponent, of the style, at the time. Since Michael's death there have been many guitarists who can play with a 'percussive' style, for example on Youtube, Andy McKee, who has been heavilly influenced by MH. However, it was Michael who first popularised the style.

[chimeramusic]

@StLandrew1958 I have a lot of admiration for people who are unconventional in thier approach to writing and push the envelope. Although I have to say that I don't think that Michael really had to try and push anything...the music sounds so natural.

[Biscuitsoldier]

@chimeramusic If you love this, check out Trace Bundy or Andy McKee. Pretty much anything out of Candy Rat is played in the similar, soulful style. Andy actually wrote a piece that is dedicated to Micheal on the same instrument. I grew up on Micheal's music, my mother said that she would play it for me when I was young to get me to sleep or be quiet for a few moments. I dunno why I felt like sharing this with you, but check those two out.

[Biscuitsoldier]

@Biscuitsoldier Also, the name of the song that Andy McKee wrote is called "The friend I never met" or something of the sort.

[chimeramusic]

@Biscuitsoldier thanks for the recommendations, I will check them out. I really think he was channeling this music from somewhere else...like all true artists do. :-)

[babbersabber]

@chimeramusic me too. :D

[chimeramusic]

@babbersabber :D great minds think alike!

[babbersabber]

@chimeramusic hehe. ^^

[pinchosalcarbon]

@chimeramusic same to me, but with Ritual Dance

[nigeldaddyo]

gone way too soon.

[aakkoin]

hedges, manring and bozzio should have made a record together...

[Deraek]

@aakkoin

I would have died if they did.

Shame.

[BryanRason]

me too

[MoonNymph775]

goodness me....haha One sexy guitar! : P

[fatniggaa]

Because Michael was a huge inspiration for Andy. He said once that if not Michaels music he might be playing polka on accordian these days :D

[MarcoBruschtein]

In addition to missing Hedges on guitar, this video makes me want to get one of these Symphony Harp guitars and learn this song. It looks like a lot of fun!

[DuskY1991]

I'd second that!

[andybaxtermusic]

this is my favourite Hedges song along with ritual dance i think

[MarkCh5v9]

I remember my parents taping this off PBS. Haven't seen it since 89? Note that Hedges was often billed as "The Guitarist from Another Planet;" so the jammies and braids were part of his "thing."

[neorunt]

I saw him in Toronto about 20 tears ago.

He had just shaved his head.

When he came onto the stage the audience gasped and Hedges said,

'If you're wondering what I did with my hair, I just reeled it in'.

So deep was Michael.

[Cavin8r]

@neorunt Man he always knew what to say. That dude is hilarious.

[garretsgold379]

that is the strangest guitar i have EVER in my life seen ......

[bobvillain]

coolest one I've ever seen :P

[intheflesh316]

it's a harp guitar

[TeaKoala]

Andy Mckee spends alot of time on his harp guitar on the album The Gates of Gnomeria. Looks like the same model.

[MrTaylorN]

It is. Andy's was given to him by Stephen Bennett.

[OneClownShoe]

When you are THIS good at playing music, you can have your hair any way and wear pajamas or whatever you want and still look good. :)

[rory09]

Just look at Jaco's dress sense!

[TheGoreFist]

@OneClownShoe

This is from the 80's, that's pretty standard style from the time period :P

[vanopelli1]

@TheGoreFist

Is that so? William Ackerman, an accomplished guitarist and founder of Windham Hill records, credits Michael H. with originating this style, he even said it on the tape that this video was on. I'm from that time period, and never heard anything like it until 1983 when I saw MH at Red Rocks in Colorado.

[vanopelli1]

@TheGoreFist 

Is that so? William Ackerman, an accomplished guitarist and founder of Windham Hill records, credits Michael H. with originating this style, he even said it on the tape that this video was on. I'm from that time period, and never heard anything like it until 1983 when I saw MH at Red Rocks in Colorado. OK Mr. Smug Know It All!

[philipatoz]

Fellow axe-slingers - IF I EVER complain again about having to either tune or restring a 6 or 12-string guitar, please slap me! Constantly tuning and re-stringing that harp guitar must have been an absolute ordeal. Michael had a beautifully organic approach to the guitar. He truly understood that its potential is virtually unlimited in the soundscapes one can explore. In his heart, I believe he thought of himself as a musician first, and as a guitar player second. Pure genius!

[pdef1949]

It could be worse...imagine if you were a baroque lute player! The ahd around 24 strings and all of them tuned with friction pegs. Years ago I heard the saying that if a lutenist attained the age of 80 years, he has assuredly spent 60 years tuning his instrument.

Now about being a musician first.....all really world class guitarists know this. I learned it in 2002 when I attended Pierre Bensusan's residential seminar.

[guitargirljc90]

haha, I know how you feel my twelve string gives me a headache, but this as beautiful as it is, as well as the sound quality, I don't think I would ever want to mess with it. 5 stars and a big thumbs up for you philipatoz!

[kewl2006]

i'm sorry, but this is really the only place i can tell this: a man walked into a fingerstyle bar and michael hedges was there. as it was open mic night he went up and started playing and as he did, everyone including michael looked in awe. after he was done michael came up to him and said "ive never heard anything like that! what is that crazy tuning you're using?" and the man replied, "EADGBE."

on another note, this is a ridiculously beautiful piece. i want a harp guitar.

[YofterMofter]

LOL

[pdef1949]

This joke has been making the rounds for years...and so true among fingerstyle players! At one time I had a playlist for gigs and in my first set of 15 numbers I used 12 different tunings. I no longer do that.

[crsaikley]

@kewl2006 aka "Missionary Tuning"!

[venusfly9108]

Wow, that is beautiful. It saddens that he is up there now.

[jazzpsalti]

man I BUILT a harp guitar just so I could play this tune

[pointychicken]

nice dude.

[kiba860]

aww man. this keeps me playing my guitar every day...love it. really love it

[eastonmackay]

His live performances are always amazing

[ratchet20751]

the friend i never met by andy mckee is almost identical to this, he wasnt lying when he said michael was his biggest inspiration

[luckEist]

let's see you play it fuckboy

[KEPHALLE]

go to fuck yourself nobrainer asshole!!!!

ps: sorry for all those who feel i've been rude, but there's no room for kindness for idiots like

o0Poidl0o

[aphalga]

It is very American.

[gypsyseagod]

i knew this dude- he ripped- r.i.p. MH. he was awesome...

[skjoyner]

He was awesome. Saw him live at McFarlin Memorial Auditorium in dallas around 1978.

[Albertan1956]

KaseyyyDawn, Michael Hedges was born and raised in Enid, Oklahoma.

[type3secretion]

I've been trying to establish whether he's born in california (as some web sites say) or in Enid. Asked this on his wiki page, but so far I haven't seen any indisputable evidence either way. Anyone know this for sure, can point to something authoritative? Thanks!

[Johnny6666]

Sorry - no answer, but the lack of a definitive biography of this genius is a crime.

[calchip]

Michael was born in California (somewhere near Sacramento, if I remember correctly) , but his family moved when he was very young to Enid and spent almost all of his youth in Enid. That's why the accounts conflict. As for authoritative evidence, the best I could give you is personal knowledge from being around Michael and his mother and sister and brothers and having discussed it a few times with them :)

[joepass87]

@type3secretion I do know where he was born, but I know that he went to school at Phillips, a private liberal arts college in Enid that no longer exists. My mom was a good friend of his in those days.

[callmetlc]

@type3secretion Sacramento

[JackFlemingFan]

Excellent!

[KaseyyyDawn]

what town in oklahoma did he grow up in?

[lizzietish14]

He's amazing. There's nobody like Hedges! Thanks for posting this.

[countdumas]

steve Tibbetts is somewhat similar.

[Fritzkefit]

My favorite song by him. Im sure he plays it a bit different on other records isnt he?

[KEPHALLE]

i just don't get why so much laughter...

expecially compared to such music and musician!

[kregconrad]

Thank You for posting this, have not seen it in years.

One of my all time favorite pieces of music.

[pappsmeere]

THIS IS LIFE.

[jetpaq]

if u like this search carlos vamos "vamosia" as well as several other songs ... if mike is incredible,then carlos is unimaginable.

[Checkofoto]

My uncle Carlos Molinar turned me onto Michael back when this video was available. I couldn't believe it. Imagine being a punk rock kid in High School listening to Hedges...Funky Avocado....Now I'm paying his music to my baby.

[MonaFrye]

AMAZING, as usual.

[xantheman0120]

Great video of this song. good views of the actual playing. And as always, his intros are hilarious! thanks for all type3!

[springing]

Thanks! Beautiful.

[BrickLaneBetty]

oh so lovely!!!

[acousticland]

without words.

From the Live on Double Planet, isn't he?

The pioneer, and the Guru of the following harp guitarists of these times.

Unique.

[doda26]

Only the Best, From the Best!! Thanks type 3 for uploadind this one. Michael Hedges, R.I.P.

[jevoshawke13]

A stunner, probably my personal favorite instrumental that Hedges does.

[trafficjuzz]

a great new video! thank you man!

[spacecowboy2k]

Type3 owns. His collection is unmatched. Thanks, Type3. Great clip. You can't beat the outfit either. Classic 80's.

[TiktaalikRoseae]

Nice! Thanks.

[Johnny6666]

Thank you so much for uploading, Type3 - yet again!

Indeed, those pants were probably part of his musical bag of tricks. :D

[Tman4000]

Thanks, type3. The guitarsoul video messes up about 85% of the time. I love those pants on him. :D